Is surgery necessary for alternating esotropia?

Q:My 10-month-old daughter (weighing 7.8 kg) has been diagnosed with alternating esotropia. Her vision is okay but her eye muscles are not functioning as they should. Her doctor has recommended surgery as the only option. She said that if my daughter had a defect in her vision then probably spectacles or patch method would have helped. Is this the only option? Is this a major surgery? What precautions will I have to take after surgery? Will she need any major follow up? What will be the approximate cost of the surgery?

A:Your daughter has esotropia, which should be operated if the deviation persists despite her glasses, if prescribed to her. The surgery is done on the medial recti muscles and is done under general anaesthesia for this age group. At our Institute (AIIMS, New Delhi) the cost in the Private ward is about Rs 6000/ and just about Rs 1000/ in the General ward. We follow up first after a week, then one month and then as per the need.